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Low-cost, low-tech Southwest carrier pays big bucks to fly high

Known for its paper tickets and outmoded operations, the airline is spending US$300m to upgrade and upskill

Friday, March 17, 2017 - 05:50

On the tarmac, mechanics and other workers will now get tablets that receive real-time information to speed up operations.

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Dallas

THE pneumatic tubes and paper tickets have got to go.

In its 45 years of flying, Southwest Airlines Co has been known for its lean operations and vaunted "20-minute turns" - the time between a jet getting to a terminal and pulling away for the next flight. The airline's low-